Tornatore's finest film to date!

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2005)

This is one of those rare films, which mesmirize you so much that you actually feel sorry to leave the theater and wish the story would not end so soon. I watched it breathless and when the credits started rolling I still longed for more magic and were ready to start watching it all over again right away. Like a true film gourmet I wanted to indulge in the exquisite treat for as long as possible, enjoying its every small tidbit.
Needless to say, that art direction and cinematography are perfect as they always are in Tornatore's films. They duly impress you with beauty and grandeur.
Oh, the music score! I can't find proper words to describe it: fantastic, awesome, gripping or even better than those three together, written by Ennio Morricone, the guru of film music! Pay attention to how aptly it matches the scenes in the film. In fact, the music is one of the main characters in the story too.
As for the story itself: well, it can call forth different feelings and interpretations. The story of a man of genius who prefers to confine himself to the small world of a cruise ship and the ocean can induce many a Freudian-like rationales from psychoanalysis aficionados. But it won't leave you feeling indifferent for Tim Roth's fascinating character who combines talent and unpretentiousness, passion and insight into people's souls - the qualities that are the marks of true brilliance.
The directing holds you captivated for more than two hours, letting you savour quite a number of memorable finely orchestrated scenes. My favourite is the piano duel between 1900 and Jelly Roll Morton. In this episode small nuances help masterfully create the growing suspense, which is one of the best I've ever seen in the movies.
The acting is superb! You can't help but appreciate perfect casting and a slew of outstanding performances. The actors don't act, they live on screen. Now Tim Roth completes the trio of my favourite actors along with Sean Penn and Al Pacino.
This film and Tornatore's second best "Cinema Paradiso" are my personal favourites and I highly recommend them to you:
Don't miss the feast of emotions! You won't regret it!